Some months later, when the Union troops advanced upon Norfolk, the _Merrimac_ was blown up to prevent her falling into the hands of the Federals, while at the close of the year the _Monitor_ foundered in a gale off Cape Hatteras.
This fight marked an era in the history of naval warfare.

The days of wooden vessels were numbered.

All nations saw that their warships to be effective must be ironclad, and the reader does not need to be reminded that such is the fact to-day respecting the navy of every civilized nation.
During this memorable fight a shell from the _Merrimac_ lifted the iron plate of the pilot house of the _Monitor_ and disabled Lieutenant Worden by driving the fragments into his face, while he was peering out of the peep-hole.

He was compelled to give way to Lieutenant Green, who handled the little ironclad throughout the remainder of the fight.
Lieutenant Worden never fully recovered from the injuries received in his fight with the _Merrimac_.

As soon as he was able to take an active command he asked the privilege of doing so.